MCKK PREMIER 7S TOURNAMENT RETURNS AFTER TWO-YEAR HIATUS

KUALA LUMPUR – The Malay College Kuala Kangsar (MCKK) is set to revive the MCKK Premier 7s (P7s) Rugby Tournament after a two-year hiatus. The 11th edition of the MCKK P7s Tournament will be held over three days, from 29 September to 1 October 2023.

The tournament, which is sure to attract many rugby fans, will see fierce competition for the MCKK P7s crown, with teams from Japan and Indonesia taking part.

The three-day competition will also see the return of champions from previous editions, such as Maktab Sultan Abu Bakar (EC) Johor Bahru, Sekolah Sukan Tunku Mahkota Ismail (SSTMI) and hosts MCKK.

However, teams such as the Royal Military College (RMC), Victoria Institution (VI) Kuala Lumpur and Sekolah Sultan Alam Shah (SAS) Putrajaya cannot be ruled out as contenders for the title.

In the 2020 edition, EC from Johor Bahru emerged champions for the first time after defeating favourites SSTMI 15-12 in a dramatic final, lifting the prestigious NJ Ryan Trophy for the first time since the youth rugby tournament was introduced in 2011.

The MCKK P7s Championship Series is organised as a catalyst to improve the quality and level of rugby at school level, in addition to fostering the younger generation's interest in the sport.

Beyond fostering sportsmanship and teamwork, rugby can also instil values of sincerity and honesty among the youth of this country in preparation for life in this millennium.

Since it was first organised in 2011, the MCKK P7s Tournament has featured rugby teams from every state in Malaysia as well as teams from overseas. The presence of teams and supporters from across Malaysia and abroad has contributed to the national and local economy through the development of tourism-related sectors, especially in Kuala Kangsar and the state of Perak.

The 11th MCKK P7s will also take into account the importance of preserving the natural ecosystem, with measures to protect the environment throughout the three days of competition. These include reducing the use of plastic, cutting down on single-use materials and improving waste management practices.

MCKK Premier 7s is not just a sporting event; it also aims to foster sportsmanship and camaraderie among all involved, as well as inculcate a sense of responsibility towards the environment.

The 11th edition of the MCKK P7s Tournament in 2023 is set to inspire young rugby players in Malaysia to showcase their talents, while sports fans across the country will be excited by the return of the tournament after a two-year hiatus.

In addition, the MCKK Premier 7s will put a tourism spotlight on the beauty and attractions of Malaysia, with Kuala Kangsar, the Royal Town of Perak, the primary focus for international and local visitors.

The MCKK Premier 7s is an annual under-18 rugby sevens tournament involving Malaysia's premier rugby schools and overseas teams. First held in 2011, its winners lift the NJ Ryan Trophy, a uniquely designed trophy named after the last foreign headmaster of MCKK, who introduced rugby to the college and inspired its rugby success. This year's edition is the 11th, following the previous edition in 2020.